Toyota Highlander 2013 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

Before driving

2

When driving

Interior

3

features

Maintenance

4

and care

When trouble

5

arises

Vehicle

6

specifications

Adjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.

Driving, stopping and safe-driving information.

Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.

Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it­yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.

What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.

Detailed vehicle information.

7

For owners

Index

Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners

Alphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

1

Before driving

1-1. Key information

Keys ..................................... 32

1-6. Theft deterrent system

Engine immobilizer

system .............................. 113

Alarm .................................. 117

Theft prevention labels

(U.S.A.)............................. 121

1-2. Opening, closing and

locking the doors

Smart key system................. 35

Wireless remote control ....... 48

Side doors ............................ 54

Back door ............................. 60

Glass hatch .......................... 70

1-3. Adjustable components

(seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)

Front seats ........................... 74

Rear seats............................ 77

Head restraints..................... 85

Seat belts ............................. 88

Steering wheel ..................... 94

Anti-glare inside rear

view mirror.......................... 95

Outside rear view mirrors ..... 98

1-4. Opening and closing the

windows and moon roof

Power windows .................. 101

Moon roof ........................... 104

1-7. Safety information

Correct driving posture ....... 122

SRS airbags ....................... 124

Front passenger occupant

classification system......... 136

Child restraint systems ....... 143

Installing child restraints ..... 148

2

When driving

2-1. Driving procedures

Driving the vehicle .............. 160

Engine (ignition) switch

(vehicles with smart

key system) ...................... 171

Engine (ignition) switch

(vehicles without smart

key system) ...................... 175

Automatic transmission ...... 178

Turn signal lever ................. 183

Parking brake ..................... 184

Horn.................................... 185

1-5. Refueling

Opening the fuel tank

cap ................................... 109

2

2-2. Instrument cluster

Gauges and meters ............ 186

Indicators and warning

lights ................................. 188

Multi-information display ..... 193

2-3. Operating the lights and

wipers

Headlight switch.................. 203

Fog light switch ................... 210

Windshield wipers and

washer .............................. 212

Rear window wiper and

washer .............................. 216

2-4. Using other driving

systems

Cruise control...................... 219

Rear view monitor

system .............................. 223

Driving assist systems ........ 227

Hill-start assist control......... 232

Downhill assist control

system .............................. 234

2-5. Driving information

Off-road precautions ........... 237

Cargo and luggage ............. 242

Vehicle load limits ............... 247

Winter driving tips ............... 248

Trailer towing ...................... 252

Dinghy towing ..................... 270

3

Interior features

3-1. Using the air conditioning

system and defogger

Front manual air

conditioning system.......... 274

Front automatic air

conditioning system.......... 281

Rear manual air

conditioning system.......... 289

Rear automatic air

conditioning system.......... 292

Rear window and

outside rear view

mirror defoggers............... 295

Windshield wiper de-icer .... 297

Using the steering wheel

climate remote control

switches ........................... 298

3-2. Using the audio system

Audio system...................... 299

Using the radio ................... 307

Using the CD player ........... 314

Playing back MP3 and

WMA discs ....................... 322

Operating an iPod .............. 330

Operating a USB

memory ............................ 337

Optimal use of the audio

system.............................. 345

Using the AUX port............. 349

Using the steering wheel

audio switches.................. 351

Detachable pole

antenna ............................ 354

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

3-3. Using the Bluetooth®

audio system

Bluetooth
Using the Bluetooth

®

audio system.... 357

®

audio system.................... 360

Operating a Bluetooth

enabled portable player ... 365

Setting up a Bluetooth

enabled portable player ... 367

Bluetooth

®

audio system

setup ................................ 372

3-4. Using the hands-free

phone system
(for cellular phone)

Hands-free phone system

(for cellular phone)

features ............................ 373

Using the hands-free

phone system................... 377

Making a phone call ........... 386

Setting a cellular phone...... 390

Security and system

setup ................................ 395

Using the phone book ........ 399

3-5. Using the rear audio

system

Rear seat entertainment

system features................ 406

Using the DVD player

(DVD video)...................... 413

Using the DVD player

(video CD)........................ 422

Using the DVD player

(audio CD/CD text)........... 425

Using the DVD player

(MP3 discs) ...................... 426

Using the video mode ........ 428

4

Changing the initial

setting............................... 429

3-6. Using the interior lights

Interior lights list.................. 436

®

• Personal/interior light

main switch....................... 437

®

• Personal/interior lights...... 437

• Interior light....................... 438

3-7. Using the storage features

List of storage features ....... 439

• Glove box ......................... 440

• Console box ..................... 441

• Overhead console ............ 442

• Cup holders ...................... 443

• Bottle holders ................... 447

• Auxiliary boxes ................. 448

• Side table ......................... 450

3-8. Other interior features

Sun visors........................... 452

Vanity mirrors ..................... 453

Clock................................... 454

Conversation mirror ............ 455

Power outlets...................... 456

Seat heaters ....................... 460

Armrests ............................. 462

Assist grips ......................... 463

Floor mat ............................ 464

Luggage compartment

features ............................ 465

Garage door opener ........... 470

Compass ............................ 476

4

Maintenance and care

5

When trouble arises

4-1. Maintenance and care

Cleaning and protecting

the vehicle exterior............ 482

Cleaning and protecting

the vehicle interior............. 485

4-2. Maintenance

Maintenance

requirements..................... 488

General maintenance.......... 491

Emission inspection and

maintenance (I/M)

programs........................... 494

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Do-it-yourself service

precautions ....................... 495

Hood ................................... 499

Positioning a floor jack ........ 501

Engine compartment........... 505

Tires .................................... 521

Tire inflation pressure ......... 530

Wheels ................................ 533

Air conditioning filter............ 536

Wireless remote control/

electronic key battery........ 539

Checking and replacing

fuses ................................. 542

Light bulbs........................... 553

5-1. Essential information

Emergency flashers............ 562

If your vehicle needs to

be towed........................... 564

If you think something is

wrong ............................... 571

Fuel pump shut off

system.............................. 572

5-2. Steps to take in an

emergency

If a warning light turns

on or a warning buzzer

sounds... .......................... 573

If a warning message is

displayed .......................... 584

If you have a flat tire ........... 586

If the engine will not start.... 600

If the shift lever cannot be

shifted from P ................... 602

If you lose your keys/

wireless remote control

transmitter ........................ 603

If the electronic key does

not operate properly ......... 604

If the battery is

discharged........................ 606

If your vehicle overheats .... 610

If the vehicle becomes

stuck................................. 613

If your vehicle has to

be stopped in an

emergency ....................... 615

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

6

Vehicle specifications

Index

6-1. Specifications

Maintenance data

(fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 618

Fuel information ................. 633

Tire information .................. 636

6-2. Customization

Customizable features ....... 648

6-3. Initialization

Items to initialize................. 652

7

For owners

Reporting safety defects

for U.S. owners ................ 654

Seat belt instructions

for Canadian owners

(in French)........................ 655

SRS airbag instructions

for Canadian owners

(in French)........................ 657

Abbreviation list ........................ 668

Alphabetical index .................... 670

What to do if... .......................... 681

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7

Pictorial index

P. 210

P. 183, 203

P. 499

P. 212

P. 104

P. 98

P. 203

P. 203

P. 354

Exterior

Windshield wipers

Moon roof 

Headlights (low beam)

Pole antenna

Outside rear view
mirrors

Parking, front side marker and
front turn signal lights

Hood

8

Fog lights 

Headlights (high beam) and
daytime running lights



P. 60

P. 54

P. 203

P. 216

Rear window defogger

P. 295

P. 70

P. 183

P. 521

P. 586

P. 630

P. 636

P. 109

P. 203

P. 223

Glass hatch 

Side doors

Tires

●Rotation

●Replacement

●Inflation pressure

●Information

Fuel filler door

Back door

Rear window wiper

monitor system
camera

License plate lights

Rear turn signal lights

Stop/tail and rear side
marker lights

Rear view

1

, *

, *

2

: If equipped

*
*

1

: For vehicles with a Display Audio system, refer to the “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.

2

: For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.

9

P. 124

P. 441

P. 443

P. 462

P. 124

P. 88

P. 74

P. 447

P. 124

P. 124

P. 85

P. 101

P. 77

Pictorial index

Interior

Front seats

Seat belts

Head restraints

Power window switches

Rear seats

C

Console box

Bottle holders

SRS driver airbag

SRS driver knee
airbag

10

Cup holders

Armrests

SRS front passenger
airbag

SRS side airbags

A

P. 456

P. 443

P. 443

P. 178

P. 179

P. 234

P. 602

Shift lever

Shift lock
override button

Cup holders

Cup holders

“DAC” switch*

Power outlet

3

“SNOW” switch

3

*

: 4WD models

11

P. 55

Pictorial index

P. 101

P. 101

P. 55

B

Interior

Inside door lock button

Window lock switch

Power window switches

Door lock switch

12

C

P. 442

P. 455

P. 470

P. 104

P. 452

P. 437

P. 406

P. 124

P. 476

P. 95

P. 453

P. 438

P. 437

P. 438

P. 360, 378

P. 463

Vanity mirrors

Sun visors

Garage door opener switches 

Moon roof switches

Personal/interior lights



Microphone , *1, *

Overhead console
Conversation mirror

Compass 

Rear seat entertainment system , *

Interior light 
Personal/interior lights 

Interior light

Assist grips

SRS curtain shield airbags

2

2

: If equipped

*
*

Anti-glare inside rear view mirror

1

:

For vehicles with a Display Audio system, refer to the “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.

2

:

For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.

13

Pictorial index

P. 443

P. 289, 292

P. 441

D

Rear air
conditioning
system



Interior

Cup holders

14

Console box

E

P. 448

P. 450

P. 443

Auxiliary box

Side table

Cup holders

: If equipped

15

P. 223

P. 193

P. 196, 454

P. 186

P. 94

P. 440

Pictorial index

P. 62

P. 523

P. 184

P. 499

P. 448

P. 171

P. 210

P. 203

P. 183

P. 212

P. 216

P. 185

P. 464

P. 109

Instrument panel

Engine (ignition) switch
(vehicles with smart key system)

Windshield wiper and
washer switch
Rear window wiper and
washer switch

Fog light switch 

Headlight switch
Turn signal lever

Gauges and
meters

Rear view monitor system
(vehicles without a Display Audio sys­tem or navigation system)
Multi-information display





Clock 

Power back door

main switch 

Glove box

16

Horn

Tire pressure warning reset switch

Floor mat

Tilt and telescopic steering lock release
lever

Parking brake pedal

Hood release lever

Fuel filler door opener

Auxiliary box

A

P. 60

P. 187

P. 297

P. 98

P. 228

Instrument panel light control dial

Windshield wiper de-icer



switch

Outside rear view
mirror switches

Power back door switch 

VSC/TRAC off switch

: If equipped

17

P. 378

Pictorial index

P. 351

P. 298

P. 219

P. 378

P. 175

P. 194

B

Instrument panel

Audio remote control switches , *1, *

Climate remote control switches 

Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles
without smart key system)

Telephone switch , *1, *

2

2

“DISP” switch 

Cruise control switch 

18

Talk switch , *1, *

2

C

P. 299

P. 113, 117

P. 562

Vehicles without a Display Audio system or navigation system

Security indicator 

Emergency flasher switch

Audio system

: If equipped

*
*

1

:

For vehicles with a Display Audio system, refer to the “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.

2

:

For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.

19

P. 562

P. 113, 117

Pictorial index

P. 113, 117

P. 562

C

Vehicles with a Display Audio system

Emergency flasher switch

Vehicles with a navigation system

Instrument panel

Rear view monitor/Display
Audio system*

4

Security indicator

20

Security indicator

Emergency flasher switch

Rear view
monitor/navigation
system

5

*

P. 295

D

P. 295

P. 281

P. 274

Vehicles with a front manual air conditioning system

Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger

Air conditioning
system

Vehicles with a front automatic air conditioning system

switch /rear window defogger switch

Air conditioning
system

Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger

/rear window defogger switch

switch

: If equipped

4

*

: Refer to the “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.

5

*

: Refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.

21

P. 349

P. 330, 337, 349

P. 448

P. 330, 337, 349

P. 460

P. 456

P. 456

Pictorial index

E

Vehicles without seat heater

Instrument panel

AUX port
AUX port/USB port

Vehicles with seat heater

AUX port/USB port *1, *

, *

1

2

, *

Auxiliary box

2

Seat heater knobs

Power outlet

Power outlet

22

A

Pictorial index

P. 428

P. 456

P. 466

P. 465

P. 465

P. 456

P. 465

Luggage compartment

A/V input port , *

Power outlet

2

Power outlet 

Luggage cover 

Auxiliary box

Cargo hooks

Grocery bag hooks

: If equipped

1

*

: For vehicles with a Display Audio system, refer to the “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.

2

*

: For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.

23

P. 61

P. 60

Pictorial index

A

Luggage compartment

Power back door switch

Back door strap



: If equipped

24

For your information

Main Owner’s Manual

Please note that this manual covers all models and all equipment, including
options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment not
installed on your vehicle.

All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing.
However, because of the Toyota policy of continual product improvement, we
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustrations may differ
from your vehicle in terms of equipment.

Noise from under vehicle after turning off the engine

Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel
evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.

Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Toyota

A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Toyota
vehicles are currently available on the market. You should know that these
parts are not covered by Toyota warranty and that Toyota is not responsible
for their performance, repair, or replacement, or for any damage they may
cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.

This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Toyota products.
Modification with non-genuine Toyota products may affect performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In
addition, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification
may not be covered under warranty.

25

Installation of a mobile two-way radio system

The installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could affect
electronic systems such as:

●Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system

●Cruise control system

●Anti-lock brake system

●SRS airbag system

●Seat belt pretensioner system

Be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or spe­cial instructions regarding installation of a mobile two-way radio system.

Vehicle data recordings

Your Toyota is equipped with several sophisticated computers that will record
certain data, such as:

• Engine speed

• Accelerator status

• Brake status

• Vehicle speed

• Shift position

The recorded data varies according to the vehicle grade level and options
with which it is equipped. Furthermore, these computers do not record con­versations, sounds or pictures.

● Data usage

Toyota may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunc­tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.

Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:

• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if
the vehicle is leased

• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern­ment agency

• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit

• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner

26

Event data recorder

This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main pur­pose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed
to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.

The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:

• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;

• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fas-

tened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake

pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situ­ation occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving condi­tions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine
the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access
to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,
other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.

27

● Disclosure of the EDR data

Toyota will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to a third party except
when:

• An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the lessee for a leased vehicle)
is obtained

• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern­ment agency

• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit

However, if necessary, Toyota may:

• Use the data for research on vehicle safety performance

• Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without disclosing
information about the specific vehicle or vehicle owner

Scrapping of your Toyota

The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt
pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.

Perchlorate Material

Special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These compo­nents may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con­trol batteries.

28

CAUTION

■ General precautions while driving

Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ­ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi­cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.

Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.

Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis­tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.

■ General precaution regarding children’s safety

Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.

Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat
build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to
children.

29

Symbols used throughout this manual

CAUTION

NOTICE

Cautions & Notices

This is a warning against anything which may cause death or injury to people if
the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do
in order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.

This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or
its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must
or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota
and its equipment.

Symbols used in illustrations

Safety symbol

30

The symbol of a circle with a slash through it means “Do not”, “Do
not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.

Arrows indicating operations

Indicates the action (pushing, turning,
etc.) used to operate switches and other
devices.

Indicates the outcome of an operation
(e.g. a lid opens).